New technology to help Chicago police investigators

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago police are using new technology to help investigators access video surveillance footage and cellphone data, as well as to read license plates.

The Chicago Tribune reports that police spoke Friday about the new Area Tech Center on the South Side that they hope will help solve more homicides and other crimes.

The Tribune reported previously that detectives often had difficulty finding the right software to access video and cellphone data. Officials said the center should help.

Superintendent Eddie Johnson told reporters that among the challenges of solving crimes "has been the ability to efficiently identify, collect" and "download" video linked to crimes.

The center opened in late February drawing on $10 million that hedge fund manager Ken Griffin pledged to improve the use of technology in high-crime neighborhoods.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com